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Editor:
I would like to address the issue of respect for others, or specifically, the lack of it. I have witnessed this on campus so many times and in so many ways that commenting on it has become more than "an itch needing to be scratched!"
I am traditionally an "older" student (i.e. I've been out of high school more than a couple of years), and have considered this to be one reason that I am more sensitive to extending common courtesies to others. I also attribute this to a quality upbringing, as I was taught to be respectful and considerate of others.
What I observe daily and consistently at the UA is quite the contrary. For example, one takes his or her life into their hands when walking on the Mall and nearly gets "wiped out" by either bicyclists, skaters or other pedestrians who apparently feel that they own the road. Other examples include having doors abruptly released directly in my face as I am entering building, and in classrooms, I have had to step over students' legs which are extended into the aisle and which they refuse to move. I have "inconvenienced" students to lift their legs off the back of a chair when I have selected it to sit in, and the list goes on and on.
However, what really disturbs me is when students are so blatantly disrespectful to other students and instructors that they hold personal conversations aloud during lectures. Additionally, I have seen instructors subjected to "flying objects," which have included an attendance sheet being shot from the top of the lecture hall, and a quiz slung at one of my professors accompanied by an expletive by a disgruntled student. Maybe it's just me, but these actions aren't even within my comprehension.
On a smaller scale, someone was generous enough to set out free muffins in the Memorial Student Union the other day. Later, I found one abandoned at the side of the drinking fountain with only one bite taken from it. Already appalled by this, I went to find a table, and the only vacant one had the remains (mostly crumbs) of a muffin distributed across it, while a trash container sat only a couple feet away!
I realize that this behavior is not confined to the UA, as disrespect of others plagues and saturates today's society. However, it seems to be perfectly acceptable, the philosophy being "Do unto others before they can do unto you."
I invite each of us to consider an alternate approach: Extend to others the same courtesies and considerations that we expect, and which each of us deserves.
Ruth August
accounting junior
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